Bayern Munich Now Favorites To Land $66 Million-Rated Defender

Min-Jae Kim is one of the biggest winners of the 2022/23 season. Napoli signed the Korean defender for just €18.05 million ($19.7 million) from Turkish side Fenerbahçe one year ago. Since then, Kim has increased his market value on Transfermarkt to an impressive €60 million ($66 million). That market value very much reflects what Napoli can command for the center-back, who is increasingly linked with a move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Indeed, it is at center-back where Bayern could see some significant movement this summer as it seems increasingly likely that both Lucas Hernández and Benjamin Pavard could leave the club. Although Bayern would like to keep Hernández and have told him as much in a personal meeting, the Frenchman seems to have his heart and mind set on a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

As a result, Bayern has set a price of around €60 million ($66 million) plus performance-based add-ons for Hernández. A fee that should be easy to reach for PSG. Pavard, in the meantime, is expected to command a transfer fee in the region of €30-40 million ($33-44 million). Several clubs in Spain, Italy, and England are interested.

Together the two center-backs should command more than $100 million this summer. More than enough for Bayern to sign Kim from Napoli. The 26-year-old Korean defender is also on Man United’s list but seems to prefer a move to the Rekordmeister.

According to a report by Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Napoli is expected to ask between €50-70 million ($55-77 million), including add-ons for the 47-times Korean national team player. Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, in the meantime, has suggested that Kim has an exit clause available in his contract, which will remain active until July. According to Transfermarkt, Kim has a release clause that is active in 2024 for clubs outside of Italy and is about €45 million ($50 million).

With Kim now nearing personal terms with Bayern, a transfer now appears only a question of time. But what does Bayern see in the Korean center-back?

First of all, more stability. Kim arrived in Italy last summer and was a big reason for the club’s first league title since 1990. Nicknamed the Monster, the 47-time Korean national defender (three goals) has been outstanding for Napoli last season.

With an impressive height of 190cm, Kim was second among all players in Serie A with 48 aerial duels won in Napoli’s penalty box (all numbers via Wyscout). The Korean also ranked 15th in Serie A with 73.03% won duels in Serie A last season.

Those sound defensive stats are combined with the fact that Bayern loves his passing abilities and ability to build from the back. In fact, Kim led all players in Serie A with 2686 passes played and was also first with 6.07 ball progressions.

In other words, the left-footed center-back combines the very attributes Bayern Munich is looking for in a potential replacement for Pavard and Hernández. That fact would also explain why the German record champions have been moving fast to get the deal wrapped up, potentially beating out the likes of Manchester United to secure one of the best defenders available on the market this summer.

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcastand the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth